Steelhead 70.3 Wheels

I raced in '06 and volunteered in '07.  Neither day was particularly windy, but who knows what '08 holds (we'll be there volunteering again this year). 

The course is rolling hills east of the dunes.  The course runs NE on M-12, turning East about 10 miles North of town.  It heads North again on some county roads, then NW, a little piece straight West, then South and SW back to the park.  Not bad if the prevailing wind comes from the West.  Most of the route is relatively protected with orchards and trees with only a very small part wide-open. 

Not sure how much it matters what the fastest riders were using.  What makes sense for you?  Here's a rundown of bike splits from '06.
#143 (10%) 2:25:48
#286 (20%) 2:30:09
#429 (30%) 2:35:52
#572 (40%) 2:40:00
#716 (50%) 2:45:04

There were some disk/aero wheels along with plenty of standard wheels.  My cyclocomputer registered right at 56 miles, so it wasn't a short course and the 50th percentile bike split was better than 20 mph. 

Unless you are planning to place. . . why bother blowing the money on wheel rentals?  On a 56 mi. course it will save you what. . . 3-4 minutes?

I guess to each his own, but its silly how many people I pass on the bike who are running discs/deep front wheels, and I'm not remotely a FOP biker.

I can't remember how many times I've done this race (5?). It is one of my favorites.

I always used a 60 mm deep front wheel and a disk rear. Worked great for me. I think I squeeked in under or well under 5 hours at each of the years I raced, largely on the back of an OK bike split on that killer bike course.

I can appreciate what you are saying, ziggie.  I only do a couple of big road tris a year and I am looking to run the absolute best race that I am capable of regardless of where I place overall.  It's me versus the course.  I bought an aero helmet, too.

The guy from TBT Race Wheels suggested that I go 404/808 since I've never run race wheels.  I do feel confident in my handling of the bike.  I realize that it is not the same, but I do race mountain bikes, often on very technical rooty/rocky terrain.  I wonder if this experience would transfer over and allow me to not be rattled by catching a gust or twelve and getting thrown around a bit if I go disc rear... Opinions?

Also, tubular?  Clincher?  What's the difference between a Sub 9 and a 900 (if I go disc)?  Powertap (I've never used power before)?

Your MTB skills may help, it just depends on situation. I'm an avid mountain bike racer, so I'm use to making split second decisions at high speeds.  I had zero issues when I put an 80mm on the front and disc on the back.  Not sure if it's because of MTB or not.  One thing that MTB will really help, especially if your a racer, is pedal efficiency and shifting. 

I've had a few professional bike fits and they fitter can always tell a mountain bike racer from a road racer just by the pedal efficiency.  Our power is almost even between the pedals, which makes sense because we have to maintain traction on hills.  Unbalanced pedal stroke and you are walking up the hill.  

Shifting is obvious.  If MTB racing taught me anything, it was having an intimate relationship with each and every gear on my bike.   

I thought that I would follow up here; thanks for all of your input prior to the race.  I ended up renting a 404/900 clincher set and I was very happy with the results.  I was looking to average about 20 mph over the bike course and I ended up with 21.16 mph (2:38:48)! 

I think that there were a couple of factors that made this "fast for me" ride possible:

1. This was my first time on aero wheels and my first time using an aero helmet (Rudy Wingspan). 

2. I pushed a little harder on the bike than I did in my one previous 70.3 because I wanted to see what the bike new setup would do for me (I was worried about how it would affect my run, though).

Although I pushed a little harder on the bike, I still had decent legs for the run and managed 8:07/mi (1:46:32).  I will definitely be renting wheels again for IMFL, although I will likely go with a 404/808 just in case there is a lot of wind. 

I only have Augusta to compare it to, but those roads were pretty bad.  When they were smooth they were very smooth, but there for a while I was wishing that I had racked my hard tail 29er mountain bike instead.  

Did that swim seem long (or against the current) to you?  I'm a horrible swimmer, but I was a little surprised by my time based on my training times for the same distance.  I was even able to draft a little.

Funny I thought the same thing about the 29er.  I was wishing i had mine.  Felt like I needed to ice my nads after that.  

The swim, for me, went great, although 4-6 minutes slower than my training times.  I finished in 39 minutes, but my training is usually in the 33 minute range.  I had NO idea how to pace myself (first HIM) so I just did  my thing.  I had one guy from the wave behind me, pass me so fast I thought he was being towed by a jet ski.  I've never been passed so fast.  It was at .75 mile mark too so that was an amazing clip that far into the swim.   

I didn't notice any current and the water temp was perfect.  

I was surprised at how many people were resting on the markers.  I also heard a lot of people swam to shore and stopped.  I know you get that in a lot of TRI's but a HIM isn't something you just sign up for like some do with sprints.  

What I find amazing are the people who are obviously over weight, yet still doing it.  They are not just dieting but they are aggressively trying to lose weight.  It's just awesome to see that.